We give practical and strategic help to:

• museum staff and volunteers
• gallery staff and volunteers
• iwiiwi tribes.

We work collaboratively with people all around New Zealand to strengthen the museum sector.

Our mission

Our mission is to work throughout Aotearoa New Zealand in partnership with museums, galleries, and iwi offering a range of practical and strategic programmes aimed at strengthening the sector.

Our staff

Our National Services Te Paerangi (NSTP) team includes a core staff of seven experienced and committed people. We’re based both at Te Papa and around the country.

Victoria Esson, Head of Sector Development | Pouwhakahaere

Location: Wellington

Victoria has worked in the museum sector for over 20 years. She has extensive experience and networks, particularly within museum education.

Victoria’s work with NSTP focuses on:

• developing improvement tools for the museum sector
• developing collaborative programmes that improve museological skills across the museum sector
• workplace assessment for the New Zealand Certificate of Museum Practice.

Contact Victoria Esson

Email: vesson@tepapa.govt.nz
Phone: 021 869 006

Paora Tibble, Iwi Development Manager | Pouwhirinaki ā-Iwi

Location: Gisborne

Paora descends from Ngāti Porou, Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Raukawa and Te Whānau-a-Apanui. He has spent the last four years working as the Iwi Development Adviser, providing face-to-face support to and increasing communication and understanding between iwi and museums around New Zealand. His mahi also included facilitating workshops, engaging with hapū and working in the community to develop collection care practises of taonga. 

Paora’s work with NSTP focuses on:

• developing and delivering strategic programmes about the care and management of taonga, including Te Papa Treaty Settlement cultural redress for iwi
• strengthening relationships between iwi and museums
• workplace assessment for the New Zealand Certificate of Museum Practice.

Contact Paora Tibble

Email: paorat@tepapa.govt.nz
Phone: 029 601 0440

Judith Taylor, Museum Development Adviser | Kaiwhanake Whare Taonga

Location: Tasman

Judith has many years’ experience in all aspects of museum practice, from collections and exhibitions to governance and management. She has a Master’s degree in Museum Studies.

Judith’s work with NSTP focuses on:

• giving face-to-face support to museums around the South Island
• providing ongoing support and training, and collaborating with various heritage groups
• workplace assessment for the New Zealand Certificate of Museum Practice.

Contact Judith Taylor

Email: juditht@tepapa.govt.nz 
Phone: 029 601 0410

Sally August, Museum Development Adviser | Kaiwhanake Whare Taonga

Location: Gisborne

Sally has been working in museums for more than 10 years. She is passionate about the arts and heritage sector, especially the preservation of taongataonga treasures.  Sally has a Bachelor of Visual Arts in Photography and a Postgraduate Diploma in Museum Studies.

Sally’s  work with NSTP focuses on:

• providing face-to-face support to museums across the North Island
• providing ongoing support and training, and collaborating with various heritage groups
• workplace assessment for the New Zealand Certificate of Museum Practice.

Contact Sally August

Email: sally.august@tepapa.govt.nz
Phone: 029 601 0370

Amber Aranui, Project Lead Ngā Kakahu – Te Korowai o te Aroha mo ngā Kōiwi Tūpuna| National Repatriation Project

Location: Wellington

Amber is of Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Waikato, and Ngāi Tahu descent. She was born and raised in the Hutt Valley, Wellington.

Amber gained a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and Religious Studies from Victoria University, and a Master of Arts in Archaeology.  In 2018 she gained a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) with Victoria University, focusing on Māori perspectives on repatriation.

Amber worked in Te Papa’s Repatriation team from 2008 - 2019. She was seconded into National Services Te Paerangi in 2019. 

Her work includes:

•  producing ethical guidelines for galleries and museums holding kōiwi tangata Māori and Moriori (Māori and Moriori skeletal remains)
•  providing assistance, funding advice and guidance to iwi in the repatriation of their tūpuna  
•  conducting workshops to enable and empower museum’s as well as iwi and other communities in the reptariation of kōiwi tangata 

Amber has a passion for research, especially relating to Māori history and material culture. She also has an interest in the wider Pacific.

Contact Amber Aranui 

Email: ambera@tepapa.govt.nz
Phone: 021 255 6066

Ask her about: 

• funding for iwi, hapū and whānau involved in repatriation 
• provenance research on koiwi tangata and toi moko
• professional development and resources for kaimahi  

Solema To’a, Sector Services Officer| Kaiwhakaratonga Rāngai

Location: Wellington

After four years of working in outreach and administrative roles across the social sector, Solema To’a has joined the team as a Sector Services Officer| Kaiwhakaratonga Rāngai. The role draws on her many skills in events management, community outreach and administration. Solema has a Bachelor of Architecture Studies and a New Zealand Certificate in Museum Practise.

Solema’s work with NSTP focuses on:

• administering the Helping Hands, Professional Development and Travel Subsidy Grants
• organising events, workshops and Expert Knowledge Exchanges

Contact Solema To'a

Email: solema.toa@tepapa.govt.nz
Phone: 021 381 851

Ask her about:

• National Services Te Paerangi’s grants and workshops

Mandy Herrick, Content and Resource Adviser | Kaitohutohu Rauemi

Location: Auckland 
Part-time 

Mandy has a background in digital content development having worked across the cultural heritage and NGO sector over the past decade. Having worked at Tāmaki Paenga Hira, Puke Ariki and the Dowse, Mandy has a firm understanding of the wider cultural sector and the challenges faced by institutions both small and large. 

Mandy’s work with NSTP focuses on:

• leading the refresh of the NZ Museums site 
• creating a suite of digital resources 

Contact Mandy Herrick

Email: mandy.herrick@tepapa.govt.nz
Phone: 027 617 8355 

Kirsty Timu, Funding Advisor – Kaiwhakahaere Ratonga Putea

 

Location: Wellington 
Fixed term until October 2022

Nifty with numbers and fluent in te reo, Kirsty (Te Arawa, Ngāti Kahununu and Ngāti Tuwharetoa) brings a wealth of skills to the role of Funding Advisor – Kaiwhakahaere Ratonga Putea. After graduating from Victoria University with a degree in accounting and commercial law, Kirsty worked with Te Papa’s finance team for two years and has been seconded into this role at National Services Te Paerangi until October 2022.  

Contact Kirsty

Email: kirsty.timu@tepapa.govt.nz
Phone: 029 770 4106

Ask her about: 

-    Funding advice for museums, galleries, iwi, hapū and whanaū looking after taonga

Emma Philpott, Content and Resource Adviser | Kaitohutohu Rauemi

Location: Coromandel
Part time 

Emma has a background in providing communications support for non-profit, charity and cultural sectors both in NZ and the UK. She is particularly interested in championing good practice and innovative solutions in the museum and gallery sector. 

Emma’s work with NSTP focuses on:

• managing content and communications for the NSTP team
• museum resource development.

Contact Emma

Email: emma.philpott@tepapa.govt.nz
Phone: 021 878 215